Critical Pertussis

Funding: National Institute of Child Health and Development - U10HD049983

Whooping cough continues to be prevalent despite vaccines. The children at greatest risk are babies under 6 months because vaccines are not yet effective in this age group. These babies can become gravely ill. The purpose of this study is to elucidate the epidemiology of the disease. This is the largest ever study of Critical Pertussis. Parents will be asked for permission to have a culture of the germ sent for metagenomic analysis, to fill out an epidemiological questionnaire, and to return in one year for a developmental exam.